The True North Collective Podcast

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Un-sugar-coated convos w/everyday humxns fearlessly finding + living their TRUE NORTH

Episodes

Thursday Jan 23, 2020

SCOUT LACROIX: PERMISSION TO SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE (PART 2) S3|E3

Thursday Jan 23, 2020

Welcome to the TRUE NORTH COLLECTIVE PODCAST: SEASON 3! With co-hosts Rachel Bellotti and Jenell Riesner, this is a gathering of un-sugar-coated conversations celebrating the untold stories of everyday people fearlessly finding and living their true north.

In our own search to discover and live from our TRUE NORTH, we continue to meet many interesting, courageous people from all walks of life, doing all sorts of amazing things to live life in their own unique way. Stories from all over the world. Stories with heart. Stories with grit. Stories with plot twists. Stories going untold - until now. This season, we celebrate these untold stories of everyday people who are fearlessly living their true north and inspiring each of us to do the same.

Today, we continue talking to our dear friend, former co-worker, and Ragnar team member, Courtney Nikolay, aka Scout Lacroix. Courtney has had 29 jobs since graduating from college, currently working in biotech and recently launched a blog called Tiny Steps - a journey of how to improve your choices to make better behaviors that lead to better habits. She is FULL ON firecracker, hilarious story-teller, genuine human on a mission to figure out who she is on this journey called life. We continue our conversation on getting debt-free, gratitude, taking back control of what we can actually control, psychic energy, the “perfect” job, and learning to embrace the process . The conversation was so good, we had to break it into two episodes - this is PART 2.

*note: this episode includes explicit language appropriate for those ages 16+

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

An Anecdote to Dissatisfaction video by Kurzgesagt

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

There is always an opportunity to allow your perspective to shift. We tend to only look at things through our own lens, yet there are millions of perspectives on any given situation. If a perspective isn’t serving you anymore or is causing pain and discomfort, you can actually switch your perspective. And you are allowed to do that whenever you want. Even after years of thinking something was one way, you can shift and change your mind and that doesn’t mean you are a flake or fake or hypocrite! It means that you are a human that just got new information and data and so now you have a new perspective.
The power of a plan, seeing the bigger picture, and creating doable baby steps can give direction and authentic tiny actions that can build momentum and habit over time, leading to real change. And the funny thing is that you actually get more out of the process of creating the plan, building the rituals, continuing to show up again and again then actually accomplishing the “end result”...because even though it doesn’t seem like it, all of it is the “end result”, not just when you cross the finish line.
There are always many, many options available to you, which is why it is paramount to know what’s important to you and what is a priority for you to feel good so that you can choose the option that best fits your needs. There is no right or wrong, just different options with different paths and different outcomes and different types of success.

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[1:20] Why go to college?
[8:00] External pressure
[12:12] Paying for intangible value
[16:00] The 5 Second Rule
[18:00] Why are you buying it? No really, why are you buying it?
[20:00] What’s the 1 min version or 1% action you could take?
[34:00] Insatiable quest to find oneself
[38:00] Confusing your professional self as a reflection of WHO YOU ARE
[41:00] the “perfect” job
[46:00] Happiness at the expense of the full human experience
[52:00] Routines + living a “level 10 life”
[1:00:00] Discernment + the process
[1:09:00] How are you living your TRUE NORTH?
[1:11:00] “How you spend your days is how you spend your life” + Tantra
[1:14:30] Contact Courtney via IG @scoutlacroix or follower her blog Tiny Steps and learn new ways to build better habits, behaviors, and choices + find ways to laugh at yourself when you don’t!

Friday Jan 17, 2020

SCOUT LACROIX: CHOOSING THE EXPERIENCES YOU WANT TO HAVE (PART 1) S3|E2

Friday Jan 17, 2020

Welcome to the TRUE NORTH COLLECTIVE PODCAST: SEASON 3! With co-hosts Rachel Bellotti and Jenell Riesner, this is a gathering of un-sugar-coated conversations celebrating the untold stories of everyday people fearlessly finding and living their true north.

Today, we’re talking to our dear friend, former co-worker, and Ragnar team member, Courtney Nikolay, aka Scout Lacroix. Courtney has had 29 jobs since graduating from college, currently working in biotech and recently launched a blog called Tiny Steps - a journey of how to improve your choices to make better behaviors that lead to better habits. She is FULL ON firecracker, hilarious story-teller, genuine human on a mission to figure out who she is on this journey called life. We talk periods, music, leadership styles, getting debt-free, choice, regrets, and a whole bunch of other down-to-earth, real stuff. The conversation was so good, we had to break it into two episodes - this is PART 1.

*note: this episode includes explicit language appropriate for those ages 16+

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Sometimes we stop being ourselves in our jobs (and in life) because we think we are supposed to act a certain way or show a certain set of qualities that fit the situation. But, when we cannot be ourselves, it stops people from being able to truly trust us and connect with us because people can feel the wall, even if we think they cannot. And worse, over time we stop being able to trust and connect with ourselves, slowly losing the magic that lives in our genuineness. It’s a slippery slope becoming disconnected and not being able to trust your authentic way of being and it absolutely has an impact on the businesses and communities and relationships we are a part of.
Anger is actually the emotion that gets us the most motivated to make a change, for ourselves and in the world. It can be an uncomfortable emotion to experience at times, however, it can also be seen for what it is and then harnessed for good if we allow ourselves the space to process it and then follow the energy into creating something that can evolve a broken system (either within us, individually, or even globally).
Your life is a series of experiences that you choose to participate in. Whether you deem them good, bad, ugly, beautiful, they are actually all equally viable options of experiences to have in this life. And we cannot experience them all - if you want to know what it’s like to have kids, then you will never know what it’s like to NOT have kids, and visa Versa. So, invite yourself to slow down from time to time and check in to make sure that you are having the experiences that YOU want to have. And if you aren’t, then make a different choice and know that even the process of noticing that you are choosing experiences you actually don’t want is also a very valuable experience to have. Every experience is valid and valuable; just make sure they are yours.

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[1:15] Debating Elf the movie
[1:50] NOT being able to burp
[4:00] First concerts + Top Songs of 2019 on Spotify
[10:00] VERY REAL period talk
[20:00] Introducing Courtney, aka Scout Lacroix!
[28:00] When your job makes you NOT who you actually are
[31:30] Acknowledging different types of leadership
[35:30] Becoming debt-free
[44:30] Student Loan Forgiveness Program realities
[50:00] Being qualified for loans that you actually cannot afford
[53:30] Do you regret your education?
To be continued...check out PART 2 of our interview with Courtney soon!

Contact Courtney via IG @scoutlacroix or follower her blog Tiny Steps and learn new ways to build better habits, behaviors, and choices + find ways to laugh at yourself when you don’t!

Friday Jan 10, 2020

SEASON 3 KICK-OFF: REDEFINING SOCIAL NARRATIVES S3|E1

Friday Jan 10, 2020

SEASON 3 KICK-OFF: REDEFINING SOCIAL NARRATIVES.

Today, we’re kicking off Season 3 by diving right into some “real shit”. From being alive and searching for fulfillment, normalizing normal bodies + adult acne, aging gracefully, being a product of societal narratives, and never being afraid to keep asking questions. We are grateful to bring you another year of great conversations with people who are fearlessly finding and living their TRUE NORTH. Welcome to a New Year and New Decade!

*note: this episode includes explicit language appropriate for those ages 16+

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

A River Runs Through It
The Egg by Andy Weir + Kurzgesagt
An Anecdote to Dissatisfaction video by Kurzgesagt
Music from: https://www.jukedeck.com/

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

What if beauty standards shifted so that we didn’t have to demonize anyone for how they wanted to express themselves? Some might choose to wear a lot of make-up, some may choose to wear none, and some may choose all the in-betweens and extremes of it. Each is simply a different path. Not better or worse. All options can coexist and none are evil or bad, just different approaches, different priorities, different goals to take into consideration around which path you choose today around beauty.
We spend so much time worrying about how we look and sound and what people think of us and what we are going to do that we forget to LIVE our lives. And all worrying really does is beget more worrying. So by worrying, you are reinforcing the unproductive discomfort and getting really good at practicing worrying VS practicing trust and presence to truly experience the life we are fortunate enough to be living!
Never stop asking questions. There is always more to discover, to question, to unpack, to get curious about - that’s on the other side of a bold and courageous question. Not to mention, when you ask the question, it forces you to listen to different perspectives, which opens you up to new possibilities and paths to choose from.

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[1:30] Normalizing normal bodies + adult acne
[5:00] Societal quick fixes
[9:00] Being comfortable with my body
[13:50] Tuning out the opinions of others
[22:00] Beauty de-ranking + coexistence
[26:30] Anti-acne mindfulness practice
[28:30] What if you could embrace aging?
[31:30] Being a product of your environment + cultural narratives
[36:00] How can we use marketing for better things?
[40:00] Changing employment + professional norms
[46:00] Is happiness really the end goal?
[49:00] Welcome to season 3 + Happy New Year!

Tuesday Dec 17, 2019

Season 3 Promo: Let's go 2020!

Tuesday Dec 17, 2019

2020 is almost here! We're excited to tease out some new ideas this coming year. Get ready for Season 3 to have everything that you loved about season 2...

+ group huddles (join our mailing list to get involved)

+ our inner monologues on topics you send our way

+ MORE!

Make sure you're subscribed to our mailing list and follow us on social @thetruenorthcollective_

Tuesday Dec 17, 2019

SEASON 2 WRAP-UP: GETTING COMFORTABLE WITH WHO I AM

Tuesday Dec 17, 2019

Welcome to the TRUE NORTH COLLECTIVE PODCAST: SEASON 2! With co-hosts Rachel Bellotti and Jenell Riesner, this is a gathering of un-sugar-coated conversations celebrating the untold stories of everyday people fearlessly finding and living their true north.

In our own search to discover and live from our TRUE NORTH, we have met so many interesting, courageous people from all walks of life, doing all sorts of amazing things to live life in their own unique way. Stories from all over the world. Stories with heart. Stories with grit. Stories with plot twists. Stories going untold - until now. This season, we continue to connect with and celebrate these untold stories of everyday people who are fearlessly living their true north and inspiring each of us to do the same.

Today, we wrap-up season 2 with our final episode of 2019. What did we learn? What are we proud of? Who are we now? How are we living our TRUE NORTH after a year full of inspiring conversations with unique, everyday humans doing what they do and being who they be? What a year! Plus some genuine thoughts and rants around social media, authentic content creation, pooping, keeping up with the Joneses, losing your sense of self, thinking macro, reclaiming your sovereignty, building community, and surrendering to what is. We wish you the best end to your year and we’ll see you in 2020 as we kick-off Season 3!!

*note: this episode includes explicit language appropriate for those ages 16+

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Everybody poops
Music from: https://www.jukedeck.com/

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

If you are going to ask others to be vulnerable or you want more vulnerability in the world, then you better be willing to join people there. And sometimes the best way to start is by truly listening to others. Listen as they share. Listen as they process. Listen as they navigate. Listen. Period. Listen as they practice being authentically vulnerable (even when it’s uncomfortable) - it can be the powerful permission and invitation we needed to be ok finally sharing and being authentic ourselves in the world too. We are all in this together.
Practice allowing yourself to “unfollow” the things that aren’t speaking to you each day so that you can reconnect with yourself and what you want to experience in your life and who you want to be. Whether that is on social media or in the real world, give yourself permission to see what it feels like to create space from a thing without it being “bad” and see what happens, knowing you can always come back to that circle or conversation when you feel ready to.
There is real power in giving your own experience merit. “Experts” aren’t the only ones that we can gain wisdom + insights from, especially if their values, desires, and experiences are different from our own. Many times the true wisdom will and does come from within - our own inner dialogues, new awarenesses, inner truths and acknowledgments, the vulnerability of sharing what’s going on within us even if it isn’t sorted out yet, and the connection that we make with our own selves along our journey of trusting our own experiences, values, and desires.

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[0:30] Celebrating 2 yrs of podcasting since launching on Xmas 2017
[1:10] Creating authentic content
[7:30] Keeping up with the joneses
[10:00] Unfollowing
[17:30] What have we learned in season 2?
[20:30] Navigating what it’s like to lose your voice/sense of self
[24:00] Conversations on death with Danielle (S2:E9)
[25:00] Does spirituality matter? (S2:E3)
[26:30] Giving people + places a chance even if they don’t feel like home
[28:00] Honoring the contrast within each of us (S2:E8)
[31:00] Giving everyday people the mic
[33:40] Making friends as adults NOW
[38:00] Share the questions your wrestling with!
[42:00] Living your TRUE NORTH after season 2 + 2019?
[48:00] A few new things comin’ atcha in Season 3

Tuesday Dec 10, 2019

BEING REAL: THE SECRET TO SUCCESS S2|E13

Tuesday Dec 10, 2019

Today, we talk with Tiffeny Parker, a US Heptathlete, a USA Bobsled athlete, a Nutrition + Health Consultant, Corporate + Executive Leadership + Development Coach, a Speed Coach for some of the top Crossfit athletes, and a lululemon ambassador looking to build communities that bridge gaps for all people. We talk inner drive and where it comes from, giving yourself your best chance, being a powerful + strong female in a male dominant field, and creating a “home” through your community and the people around you.

*note: this episode includes explicit language appropriate for those ages 16+

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

- Ragnar Trail running
- Celsius
- Azusa Pacific University
- San Francisco State
- Bryan Clay - Silver + Gold Medalist Decathlon
- Mike Barnett
- Tiffeny's Website
- Sharon Day-Monroe
- Evan Weinstock
- Wayne Gretzky
- Elana Meyers Taylor - “the Michelle Obama of bobsled”
- Bunco

This is Us show

Allison Forsythe
Music from: https://www.jukedeck.com/

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Timing is everything. And life can change in a second. One hesitation and your life can look totally different. Not better or worse, just different. The best thing you can do is keep showing up and trust your gut and stick to your guns, even if it seems crazy.
It’s important to have people in your court, on your team, around you who truly know you that way when you have a bad day, they can see it and know how to lift you up and help you navigate. And visa versa. And this can be inherited OR created.
Being vulnerable and real is actually the secret sauce to success. If we cannot open up and get comfortable sharing our stories and who we are, then others cannot truly support us, we cannot truly build supportive communities, and most importantly, we cannot truly support ourselves - in moving past our own hurdles and fears because we aren’t addressing the real shit, we are just avoiding it and wasting precious time and energy.

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[1:18] Spelling your name wrong for most of you life
[2:00] Collecting Starbucks cups
[8:00] Typhoid vaccines + traveling to Egypt
[12:14] Introducing Tiff!
[14:00] Being a gold star chaser isn’t normal?
[19:00] Racing street lights to get home before dark
[23:00] Make sure you graduate from college
[26:00] I had no idea I was a heptathlete
[30:00] Importance of having a partner/team/trainer who knows you
[39:00] I didn’t have time to be a kid because failure wasn’t an option
[46:00] Doing everything possible to give YOU your best chance
[53:00] Being a strong, powerful female today in a male dominant sport
[1:06:00] How to create your dream?
[1:12:00] Defining “home” when you live on the road
[1:25:30] Learning to accept my body as a Bobsled athlete
[1:33:00] Life after being a pro athlete
[1:35:00] Living your TRUE NORTH
[1:38:30] Contact Tiff via DM on IG @tiffiep

Sunday Nov 17, 2019

NORMALIZING IMPERFECTION: THE POST-COLLEGE MASHUP S2|E12

Sunday Nov 17, 2019

Today, we are trying something different - we are doing a mashup of strangers talking about life - post-college! We have Preston Bowers (23 years old), a recent Dallas Baptist University graduate and friend of Rachel (36), and Jess Sohn (25), former co-worker and friend of Jenell (28). We’ve dedicated an entire episode to unpacking that huge leap to life “after” college - the good, the bad, the ups, the downs, the ugly, the beautiful, and everything in between. And then we throw in some amazingly honest dialogue around unconscious bias, beauty comparisons, finding a new rhythm in life, and redneck archeology. Here we go!

*note: this episode includes explicit language appropriate for those ages 16+

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The power of people in your life that have your back and accept you as you are is a game-changer that can pick you up from your lowest lows because they always see the magic in you regardless of whether it’s shining brightly and fully expressed or not. And it doesn’t take much for people to know that you see them, that you are there, and that you care, but it can be easy to forget to tell people. Where in your life is there an opportunity to acknowledge someone in your life? Maybe it’s someone who is struggling or maybe it’s someone whom you assume just “knows”. We can never hear it enough that we are loved, seen, heard, and acknowledged.
Having a wall to certain people because of a past story or experience that you haven’t resolved and projecting it into the present moment closes you off from truly connecting to people and the world around you. Forcing people to play a role that we have created for them before they can actually show us who they truly are co-creates a world where we too are put into boxes and forced to play roles that are limiting and small. It’s so easy to just avoid and lean into our unconscious bias towards ourselves and others, but then we miss out on experiencing the depth that exists within every one of us.
Your imperfections are truly what make you unique and different and special from everyone else. Stop normalizing perfection because it doesn’t exist and it keeps the weird, interesting shit hidden, and makes the world boring.

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[1:30] Being an artifact hunter aka redneck archeology
[7:40] Walk-up songs + dance breaks on IG
[13:00] Being a terrible burper
[15:50] Introducing Preston + Jess!
[30:00] Phone calls vs text messages vs face-to-face connections
[35:15] Navigating life fluidly vs when you are trying to simply fill a void in your life
[39:00] Having 2 minor strokes by the time you are 19 + the impact when people in your life love you no matter what
[43:00] Learning to make it a point to progress in some way every day
[45:00] Entering the “real” world after college
[47:00] Filling the void of loneliness
[54:00] Chunking life down into bite-sized pieces + saying yes
[57:00] Identify crisis
[1:02:00] Stepping past stereotypes + bias in a safe way
[1:16:00] Post-college transitions + having to self-motivate
[1:24:00] You are NEVER too old!
[1:27:00] Unpacking commitment in today’s generation - at work, in relationships, in life
[1:32:00] Beauty comparison in a world of swiping left
[1:45:00] Stop worrying about being healthy - that is NOT healthy
[1:47:00] Living your TRUE NORTH
[1:00:00] Contact Jess via IG @JessSohn and contact Preston via IG @APrestonBowers or email prestonbowers.ltc@gmail.com

Sunday Nov 03, 2019

WHAT IF PAIN HAD A PURPOSE? S2|E11

Sunday Nov 03, 2019

#11: WHAT IF PAIN HAD A PURPOSE?

Today, we talk with Arleen Milian, a Vision Life Strategist, proud mother, Cuban refugee, and successful businesswoman. We cover a lot of ground on this episode - from being the parent you think you should be to the parent you actually ARE, to vaginal atrophy, to gentrification, to recovering from addiction, to using authenticity as a crutch, and all the dots in between. A beautiful story is woven that is real, honest, and embracing of all of life’s blunders and stumbles, ultimately inviting each of us to recognize that our trauma doesn’t have to define us and that pain can actually have a purpose. Buckle up, it’s a really good one!

*note: this episode includes explicit language appropriate for those ages 16+

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Chelsey Handler documentary White Privilege
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
Fleabag
Marco Polo app
Future Self Journaling
A Refugees Heart documentary

Music from: https://www.jukedeck.com/

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Your stumbles and your mess and your zigs and your zags might seem random and confusing, and they are still getting you where you are going - trust them.
We think that we want the mom, dad, a family that WE want and not the ones we get. And actually who we get is a part of OUR journey. The older we get and the more our journey unfolds, we might be surprised by what we can learn about ourselves from the childhood that we ACTUALLY got, from practicing ACCEPTANCE of who we are and where we came from, from learning to CHOOSE which narratives we want to continue to live into (trauma or otherwise) and which we are ready to re-write. Maybe invite a sense of curiosity, and see what you can uncover about the family that you ACTUALLY got and the person that you ACTUALLY choose to be today as a result.
Being able to learn to admit who you are - recovered traumas, strengths, perceived flaws, boring parts, magical parts - to yourself is the most freeing experience in the world. It opens you up to truly living and connecting with others through your honest and vulnerable story and allows others to do the same.

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[4:00] living in diverse neighborhoods + gentrification
[7:00] Chelsey Handler White Privilege
[14:00] Hair confessions
[22:22] Introducing Arleen!
[26:30] What is a vision life strategist?
[36:00] Using authenticity as an excuse to do crazy shit
[42:00] Having Cher as my mom...
[49:00] My kids are MY teachers!
[53:00] What the heck is vaginal atrophy?!
[59:00] Importance of laughter
[1:04:00] Normalizing menopause
[1:10:00] Addiction, euphoria, avoiding emotions, + cravings
[1:18:00] Holding space for self + others
[1:24:00] Boundaries + victimization
[1:30:00] Feminine + masculine narratives we learn as kids
[1:35:00] Creating a documentary about being a Cuban refugee + realizing that your story matters
[1:44:00] Mental illness + trauma doesn’t have to define you
[1:49:00] Saying yes vs protecting yourself
[1:52:00] Being on a spiritual path
[1:56:00] Living your TRUE NORTH
*Contact Arlene via email arleen@arleenmilian.com or DM IG @arleenmilian

Tuesday Oct 22, 2019

LEARNING HOW TO PRIORITIZE YOU + LIVE FOR YOUR WELLBEING S2|E10

Tuesday Oct 22, 2019

LEARNING HOW TO PRIORITIZE YOU + LIVE FOR YOUR WELLBEING

Today, we talk with Ashley Haag, a friend from Milwaukee, fellow former fitness studio owner, and founder and creator of fASHionably FIT. We get real about the realities of stress while working in the wellness industry and realizing that sometimes the dream life you are finally living is no longer what you need or want or what is working for you anymore. Learning to truly show up for ourselves so that we can actually powerfully show up for others. And recognizing when something’s gotta give, something gotta slow down and learning how to do NOTHING as a way to truly LIVE.

*note: this episode includes explicit language appropriate for those ages 16+

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Music from: https://www.jukedeck.com/

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

In this productive, efficient, hustling society, we are getting better and better at being really, really good at burning ourselves out and still remaining successful in the world - ultimately confusing burn out as an inherent part of success. Yet the success is simply masking the fact that we are detrimentally hurting our bodies, our minds, and ourselves. The best antidote is learning how to do nothing + honoring the non-doing.
Your body knows when you are overly stressed, or pushing yourself too hard, or doing things that aren’t good for it emotionally, mentally, energetically, and physically. It will continue to give you signals and warn you in bigger and bigger ways until you listen. Paying attention to early signs is hugely important.
When we can learn to show up for ourselves in all that we do, we actually can better show up to run our businesses, for our friends, as leaders, as influencers, for family. When we just show up for the other things and people in our lives, we lose our connection to ourselves and then we stop taking care of ourselves and ultimately aren’t able to give back to the things in our lives in the capacity and ways we actually want to and they get lesser versions of us. And relationships and communities and businesses suffer. So, showing up for ourselves isn’t selfish, it is actually the most giving thing we can do for others and the world.

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[1:00] peeling sunburnt skin + weird human tricks
[4:44] hiking Half Dome in Yosemite
[14:08] Introducing Ashley!
[17:20] living with Lyme Disease, stomach ulcers, alopecia, depression as a health professional
[21:00] effects of being really good at burning the candle at both ends
[29:00] stress is stress is stress, even the “good” kind
[32:00] image, fitting in, + fitness
[37:00] living your dream life + then realizing it is no longer working or what’s right for you anymore...now what?
[54:00] running a brick + mortar fitness biz vs a digital fitness brand
[58:10] nothing you do should ever be at the expense of your health
[1:02:00] why is it acceptable to have to be busy to be successful?!
[1:04:00] running a business while also showing up for yourself
[1:08:00] knowing + being aware of the truth (even if it sucks) is better than NOT knowing
[1:16:30] living your TRUE NORTH in one-ish word

[1:18:00] Contact Ashley via IG @fASHionablyfit.ash or FB @fashionabyflit or via email ashley@fashionably.fit

Tuesday Oct 01, 2019

A BEAUTIFULLY OPEN DIALOGUE WITH DEATH S2|E9

Tuesday Oct 01, 2019

In our search to discover and live from our TRUE NORTH, we have met so many interesting, courageous people from all walks of life, doing all sorts of amazing things to live life in their unique way. Stories from all over the world. Stories with heart. Stories with grit. Stories with plot twists. Stories going untold – until now. This season, we continue to connect with and celebrate these untold stories of everyday people who are fearlessly living their true north and inspiring each of us to do the same.

Today, we talk with Danielle Thornton (also known as Audah), owner of Starana, an end of life doula, wellness care doula, reiki practitioner, somatic bodyworker, and yoga and meditation teacher. In this episode, we dig into all things death – the misconceptions, the universalities, the unknowns, the fears, and the beauty of it. We unpack growing old, honoring the wisdom of elders, and how we can use the life transitions in front of us to prepare for the ultimate transition in this life. Plus some fart jokes for brevity!

*note: this episode includes explicit language appropriate for those ages 16+

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Create the boxes you want to live in so that you are living in the realities of your choice versus the boxes created by society or the world.
Closing your heart to pain means you also close your heart to joy and love and connection. When we resist pain, we are practicing closing our hearts to ALL aspects of life – the painful aspects AND the beautiful aspects. Practicing death is a form of learning how to soften, to not resist, to allow what is to be as it is. “He who wants the rose must learn to respect the thorn.” – yogi tea bag quote
Honoring and integrating the wisdom of elders is a gap in our society. In our youth and vanity-obsessed culture, we have become afraid of elders because they represent our mortality, and when we disregard them, we miss out on BIG INSIGHTS and understandings around who we are as humans and what’s important and where we’ve been and where we could be going as a culture and as individuals.

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[1:00] being a Highly Sensitive Person
[2:44] breaking out of boxes + creating the box you want to live in
[5:45] Friday the 13th
[9:22] Introducing Danielle!
[16:22] brushes with death
[20:00] learning from those who are dying + practicing death ahead of time through yoga, meditation + breathwork
[28:00] coping with “loss” as a death doula
[35:00] talking to those you love about their death
[41:00] losing a job + relationship in the same year…major transitions can be powerful gateways to practice death – the final transition in this life
[47:22] what happens when you die?
[58:00] integrating the wisdom from elders in a youth + vanity obsessed culture
[1:07:00] loneliness + loss of a sense of purpose as we age + aren’t producing at the level that is seen as a valuable contribution to society
[1:20:00] death + fart jokes
[1:21:30] living your TRUE NORTH + what it means to be me
[1:24:45] Contact Danielle via starana.com or via email danielle@starana.com